FLORENCE, Ariz.—Pinal County authorities have seized more than 1,200 pounds of marijuana from a big rig that was hauling squash and arrested the driver from California.

County Sheriff's officials say 59-year-old Norberto De La Vega, of Los Angeles, was being held Friday on several drug-related offenses. He doesn't have a lawyer yet.

A deputy patrolling Interstate 10 pulled over a semi-truck for traffic violations. As he approached the big rig, he says he smelled marijuana and De La Vega acted nervous when asked to see his load paperwork.

A drug-sniffing dog alerted authorities to the trailer, which had 32 large cardboard vegetable bins.

Sheriff's officials say 1,243 pounds of marijuana was in duct-taped packages hidden under the squash.

Authorities say the marijuana has an estimated street value of nearly $925,000.